Protect ballots, meetings from armed intimidation

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

By The Herald Editorial Board

Here’s what’s necessary to cast your vote at a ballot drop box: yourself and a marked ballot.

Here’s what’s necessary to provide testimony or public comment at a city council, school board or similar meeting of a local government: yourself and a point.

What isn’t necessary in any of those circumstances is a firearm. And what is now necessary to legislate against is the intimidation — whether intentional or not — that is packed along with firearms in those settings.

State lawmakers now are considering two bills that would extend existing prohibitions against the carrying of firearms in specific public settings.

House Bill 1618 would restrict the carrying and possession of firearms at county and state election offices and related facilities, such as ballot processing centers and voter registration facilities. Violation would be punishable as a gross misdemeanor with a penalty of up to a year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.

House Bill 1630 would restrict the possession of firearms and other weapons in local government offices used in connection of public meetings and at school boards. Again, violation would be a gross misdemeanor. Further, those violating the law at a school board meeting also would have their concealed permit license revoked for three years.

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-protect-ballots-meetings-from-armed-intimidation/

[Walleye]

1. The intimidation is always intentional.

[hermetic]

2. Sounds good to me

Hope they pass.